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Going cold turkey, getting cold feet

I just need to post my anxiety over the possibility of letting my bees die out through the winter. I left them 3-4 boxes of stores each ( 8 frame mediums), but the rest is up to them. Mite counts were really high last week, but brood production has dropped off with the temps so perhaps that Will slow the parasites down. Fingers are crossed, but it is going to be a long anxious winter! First treatment free year jitters I suppose.

Re: Going cold turkey, getting cold feet

I am right there with you...this is our very 1st year of beekeeping and have used no chemicals. I did do one powdered sugar shake mid Sept. after high mite count(which dropped quite a few) but, that is it. I am surrendering to the bee universe and hoping for the best! I am determined not to give up...Our neighbor did nothing and his bees survived(call it benign neglect) so I am hoping the same for our bees! Best of luck and know you are not along!

Re: Going cold turkey, getting cold feet

Well, yeah, but this guy is simply jumping in blindly w/ both feet. So I was stating reality as I see it. It doesn't look like a lot of thought or planning happened, other than nuc building for overwintering.

Re: Going cold turkey, getting cold feet

Originally Posted by sqkcrk

Well, yeah, but this guy is simply jumping in blindly w/ both feet. So I was stating reality as I see it. It doesn't look like a lot of thought or planning happened, other than nuc building for overwintering.

That is a mighty large assumption about me based on very little information!

On the contrary I have read, watched, and listed to everything I can get my hands on since begining this adventure ~18 months ago and made what I hope is (as closely as possible) a calculated risk. My ultimate goal is treatment free, why continue with a crutch that doesn’t allow me or my bees to build their strength. My original post was only to vent a little of the anxiety I am feeling. I am sure that many, regardless of their management style, feel some amount of concern for their bees survival over the winter. I do not fool myself that I have given them an extra large hurdle to that goal. Blindly assuming I didn’t think of ever pro and con I could imagine or had been posited by others is a negative assumption by you.

I followed the link in your signature before, it seems you want to promote a helpful, positive, supportive community. How about helping in that regard instead of assuming you know my background.

Re: Going cold turkey, getting cold feet

Well, sorry about that, but I can't see any more than what you show and I didn't see any planning, just jumping in w/ both feet. If you did plan, good. What more can be said. I wish you luck. I just know from experience that the odds are against you and you should be pleased w/ one good strong hive making it thru the winter.

I'm glad you looked at the link. I fall short of the ideal all the time. Don't know anyone who doesn't. Sorry 'bout that.

Re: Going cold turkey, getting cold feet

Thank you for the apology. I know I didn't provide much information as I was mostly looking for moral support from others who have walked the path before me. One strong hive would be a blessing, although I do hope (against the odds perhaps) for a nuc or two to make it through as well.